FIVE horses were rescued after being trapped in rising water levels up to their bellies during the recent Storm Dennis.

Members of the public said they were "concerned" after spotting the animals stuck in water on Sunday at a field near Testwood Nature Reserve, on the outskirts of Southampton.

The rescue was labelled as "high-risk" as there were parts that were so deep that rescuers had "no choice but to swim".

It comes as the RSPCA’s specialist emergency response teams rushed to more than 100 calls over the weekend and continued to respond to animals in need on Monday.

RSPCA animal welfare officer Marie Stevens and specialist equine inspector Rebecca Carter rescued two of the horses, and were given a helping hand from the owner of the horses.

Marie said: “Members of the public had spotted the horses up to their bellies in water and were concerned as the water levels were rising.

“We worked together to wade into the water constantly checking the levels. It was a high-risk rescue as there were areas that were so deep we had no choice but to swim. We carefully made our way over to the horses who were, understandably, extremely agitated. We managed to get a head collar and line on one horse, leading her with the others following closely behind to an area of higher ground sheltered by some trees.

“We then set up a line across the deepest section and used this to help the first horse across to safety. Members of the public were extremely helpful and held onto her as we guided the second across.”

The owner arrived as the rescuers were beginning to lose light, which made it unsafe for them to continue their rescue mission - but the owner decided to rescue the three remaining horses herself.

Marie added: “We would never recommend owners put themselves in danger to rescue their animals but we can understand how emotional it is seeing your beloved pets at risk.

“We’re just really pleased we could help these horses and that all five were rescued safely.”

The horses were very cold and found to be shivering so a vet was called to the scene to check them over before the officers left.

RSPCA inspector Jason Finch, the charity’s national water rescue coordinator, said: “I’ve been at the RSPCA for 20 years and have been running the water team for ten and I‘ve never known anything like this."